Friday, June 01, 2012

Good morning, sweetheart!

Some, I imagine most, people answer the phone with "Hello." Or maybe, "Good morning/afternoon"- as the case may be.

In the US anyway. In Italy you say, "Pronto!" In Germany you answer with your last name, or at any rate, that's what my old boyfriend and his family did. Of course, he also told me that they do the duck dance around the pine tree on Christmas morning, and I believed him.

But I digress. My point, of course, is that there are cultural norms for answering the phone.

And I think Betty used to answer the phone with "Hello!" In fact, I'm quite sure she did.

But then she discovered the joys of caller ID, and she'd announce your name to you when she answered.

And now, we do not have caller ID on our home phone, being that we don't give out the number, and really only have it for the alarm and for emergencies.

It also turns out to be a great home intercom system.

Because my mother can sleep through any alarm. And she is on the third floor, which is not always convenient when one is on the first floor trapped with a boob in the mouth of a small tyrant baby. And she rarely has her cell phone with her. If it is with her, it isn't charged. Or it's lost under a pillow.

So the home phone is a helpful thing.

Betty now mainly answers with, "Hardy boys!" in the afternoon or evening. In the morning, as it's usually me on the other end, she answers with, "Is this the Lisa I know and love?" or "Do you need a baby holder?"

Sometimes it's Nick calling, and he's used to it. Or it's a solicitor.

So she sang out, "Good morning, sweetheart!" when the phone rang early this morning.

It wasn't me.

A man's voice asked if he could speak to Betty. She identified herself.

He replied, ""This isn't sweetheart. This is Kevin from your dentist's office calling to remind you of your appointment."

Don't you think she ought to call him sweetheart when she goes next week?

20 comments:

  1. Heh. Since it sounds like he was perhaps a little grumpy, *I* would probably make a point of calling everyone BUT him sweetheart.

    But Betty is nicer than I am.

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    1. I think odds are good she'll do it. Not sure - it's a new dentist and she doesn't know them yet.

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    2. Well, what a great way to make an impression then, don't you think?!
      Or going with a Britishism like 'luv' or 'duck' would also be acceptable. You're all meant to be women of mystery, so baffle the daylights out of 'em.

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    3. Duck! Hahaha! I'll suggest it!

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  2. in honor of my husband (and son's) Japanese blood i sometimes like to answer with "moshi moshi" this is one of my favorite greetings. and of coruse Betty has to call him Sweetheart next time she sees him, or maybe "Darling".

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    1. Oh, yes, moshi moshi! It just sounds so cute! I love darling - good suggestion!

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  3. Yes, of course! And if he gives a grumpy look, she should give his cheek a grandmotherly pinch!

    And man, what I would have given for somebody to ask me if I wanted a baby holder - oh, you lucky Lemon!

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    1. I don't think she'd go that far.

      And it's pretty spectacular to have a baby holder in the house. I love it.

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  4. Definitely!
    Also, this just reminded me of a childhood friend who always, ALWAYS, had to answer the phone thusly: "Pospahala residence, this is Paige, may I help you please?"

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    1. Oh, my goodness that's cumbersome. So formal!

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  5. I think we should all always answer with good morning (afternoon, evening) sweetheart, I bet it would make the person on the other end of the line feel loved. And possibly a little freaked out, but whatevs

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    1. Maybe I will try that. Probably would freak people out, but yes, whatever.

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  6. I think it might actually be acceptable to do so in the UK. I know "luv" is always acceptable lol.

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    1. Oh, yes, the ubiquitous luv! I think that "hon" is used in the same way in some places in the US.

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  7. I would definitely call him sweetheart, especially since it seems so very distasteful to him!

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    1. I think her appointment is tomorrow. We'll see what she does. I wonder what he's actually like. He might've just been confused.

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